Peony Top brass
Despite the abundance of modern decorative flowering perennials, there are not so many really special and therefore memorable ones. One of these plants can be safely called Top breaststroke peony. It has a certain zest, thanks to which, at the first acquaintance with a flower, you want to immediately get it into your collection.
History of creation and description of the variety
The original variety appeared in the last century. It was bred by the American breeder K. Clem in 1968.
Top brass is a herbaceous peony from the lactoflower group. It forms a slightly leafy bush about a meter high, maximum - 120 cm. Its strong stems are covered with large, leathery, dark green leaves with a smooth surface and glossy shine, which have a complex double-feathery shape. The magnificent flowers of a slender handsome man delight those who contemplate them. Large (from 15 to 20 cm in diameter), terry, anemone-shaped, they resemble a whipped ball in their shape. This flower cap, or otherwise the crown, consists of soft pink petals and staminodes of a sunny shade. It is worth noting that the spherical shape is characteristic not for the entire inflorescence, but only for its base. The lower petals border the lush center in two rows and are painted white. In some places, pale pink strokes are noticeable on them. The tricolor buds look very festive, giving the whole plant a festive look. They are located on strong peduncles one at a time, less often two or three pieces, and they smell nice, although not too strong. The flowering culture is abundant, begins at the end of June and lasts about 20 days. In place of the inflorescences, as a result, multileaf fruits are formed. The seeds ripen in them in August or with the onset of autumn. Top Brass is a mid-late blooming peony.
An amazing perennial can withstand 40-degree frosts, and therefore does not require shelter for the winter. It is not harmed by sharp temperature fluctuations. The variety is characterized by increased resistance to fungal diseases.
Features of agricultural technology
A place for planting a plant is chosen flooded with sunlight or in partial shade. It is very undesirable to place a shrub in the shade if you want to see an ornamental flowering culture in all its splendor. The peony is not recommended to be placed near buildings and large plants, especially trees, due to the likelihood of overheating in the summer and loss of moisture and nutrients. There should be sufficient space around the Top brass to maintain air circulation, which will protect the bush from the appearance of pests and diseases.
The luxurious Top breaststroke flower grows on any soil. However, the most suitable for him is a fertile loamy soil with a slightly acidic reaction. The plant needs regular watering, carried out in moderate mode. In the phase of the appearance of buds and flowering, it is worth more intensively moisten the soil under the decorative perennial. To thoroughly wet the substrate, one plant will have to use up to 3 liters of settled water at a time.
It is worth fertilizing a crop already from the first year of life. During this period, it is especially important to feed the shrubs in the spring with nitrogen concentrate - for example, liquid mullein. During the formation of buds on the plant, during the flowering period and in autumn, the hybrid needs mineral complexes rich in potassium and phosphorus.
After watering, as soon as the soil under the flower dries up a little, it is a good idea to loosen and remove weeds under the bush. In autumn, before the onset of stable frosts, all peony shoots are cut shortly, leaving only a small stump. If you want to play it safe, you can cover it with a layer of peat or compost, but in general, the hybrid winters well under the snow.
Use cases
There is a place for Top Brass in any garden and flower garden. This variety is good in mixborders and other group plantings, where it is perfectly combined with flowering perennials with buds of contrasting shades, as well as with decorative foliage. Top brass is great in single plantings, effectively standing out against the background of a lush lawn. It should be placed along the fence or near the gazebo.Worthy neighbors of the hybrid: roses, clematis, phlox, dwarf conifers.
Plants of the described variety will decorate a rock garden and paths if you plant them on the sides of garden paths. A suitable place for an American handsome man is in front of shrubs with dense dark green foliage, against which his unique flowers will especially attract admiring glances. Florists use this peony for cutting, as unusual flowers stand in the water for a long time, without losing their visual appeal, and look great in bouquets.
